The 59-year old was rushed to hospital on Tuesday morning after she suffered an asthma attack at her home in Knocklyon, south Dublin.

Unable to breathe Twink, real name Adele King, was taken by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital and then moved to a second hospital better able to deal with her difficulties.

Undergoing tests there throughout yesterday, her agent Noel Kelly told the Irish Independent last night she would remain in hospital for some time.

"Adele had a chronic asthma attack where she could barely breathe. She's very sick at the moment. The doctors are doing tests on her but I've no idea when she would be able to leave hospital," Mr Kelly said.

Her agent said he could not confirm or deny reports the attack had been caused by serious reaction to her asthma medication.

He was one of two close friends to be at Twink's bedside yesterday, the other being, Robert C Kelly, the producer of 'Menopause: The Musical' which had its first preview in the Tivoli Theatre last night.

"Despite her illness, the first thing Adele had asked me about was the show. She was adamant the show must go on," said Robert Kelly.

With this in mind, understudy Nicki French was announced last night as Twink's replacement for at least the next week of shows. The London-based performer arrived in Dublin for rehearsals yesterday.

Despite being a professional singer, she admitted she was nervous replacing Twink in her role with just 24 hours' notice.

A more daunting prospect, she said, than representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, which she did in 2000.

Sources close to Twink said she had been under increased pressure in recent weeks fighting a legal battle to hold on to her home, appearing in a touring musical and running her Sugar Craft cake business, all while battling a worsening asthma condition.

In an emotional interview with the Irish Independent the night before she took ill, Twink had spoken about the break-up of her 21-year marriage.

"When people ask about David? I say, you know of course I hurt and stung like everybody does. But the trick is, and here's what I say about pain or grief or disappointment, you need to suffer it, cry your eyes out. Get it out and then build a bridge and (raising her voice) Get over it. Get over the bloody bridge and move on," she said.